Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

[debbie276]

I would use a banding tool, it's like a tiny spoon

Just wanted to follow-up with a picture showing the banding tool being used ...

[ac12]

Seeing the trouble that I am having.
How do you keep the food at the correct temp. I put a 1/2 inch of hot water into a bowl to make a water bath. Then I put the food mix into a stainless steel condiment cup that I put into the water bath. The stainless steel cup heats up faster than a shot glass. The problem that I'm having is the water bath cools down too fast, and that cools down the food mix.

Next is how do you determine how liquidy to make the mix. I try but I can't seem to make it consistently the same consistency. And as I am feeding, the mix dries out/absorbs the water and gets thicker.

[lovemyfinch]

Gary, in order to keep the formula the same consistancy I kept an eyedropper reader to add more water.
As for the temp. I have an electric kettle, I boiled the water and added a little bit to the bowl every once in a while.

[annague]

Gary, they do have those electric rings that keep a coffee cup warm. You can set your bowl of formula on it -- it will keep it pretty hot so you'll have to check your temperature every time.

But, knowing how handy you are --- maybe you could put one of those voltage regulators on it and cut down the temperature and keep it just the right temperature?

[ac12]

Earth to Gary....

Why didn't I think of a coffee cup warmer...duh...
I used one for MANY years. Now I just have to find it. If not, I think they are not very expensive.

Thanks Anna

[Sally]

If you can't find a coffe cup warmer, Walmart had the same thing in the candle department called a candle warmer. I found the same thing as Anna, the warmer almost keeps the formula too hot--you can experiment around to find the best container, but if you keep your small formula container in a water bath, sitting on the warmer, it keeps it pretty good.

As far as consistency of the formula, all these formulas thicken as they sit and cool. I don't worry so much about the temperature of the formula (except for it not being too hot, as that will burn the crop) as much as the thickness of the formula. I'd rather keep that as consistent as possible. Janine's idea of keeping an eye dropper handy is perfect, and I just use some of the water bath water.

[annague]

I use the water bath water, too.

Gary, let us know how the coffee cup warmer or candle warmer works!

[ac12]

I got my society hens to adopt the chick
But I will look for the cup warmer and keep it with the brooder for the next time that I will need it.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[lovemyfinch]

Gary, that is wonderful news.
And those societies deserve something a little extra for taking on a chick that is already a few days old

[annague]

Yup... they're keepers for sure. I need to find some like that!

[Sally]

Well, I thought I had posted this here already, but apparently not. When handfeeding the more insectivorous species, I have been told that the following formula gives them the higher protein they need:

Mix 1 part LaFeber's handfeeding formula with 2 parts Harrison's Neonate powder, then add water to get the consistency you want (very thin at first).

This has a higher protein content than the LaFeber's or Exact by themselves.

My last two BCCB handfeds and my RCCB handfed Peanut were raised on this formula.

[debbie276]

LaFeber's is 17% protein
Kaytee Exact is 22% protein
Neonate powder is 26% protein

What is the recommended protein level you need to get to?

[Sally]

I'm not even sure how high you need to be with the protein--the guru who told me that passed before I could really pick his brain. But according to those protein levels, the LaFeber/Harrison mix would only be 1% higher than the Exact, so I wonder if there is more to it than just protein. I did ask the person who told me to use this mix why she didn't just feed Harrison's for the 26% protein, but she said that when she tried it, she had digestive problems with the babies--does that mean that 26% is too high? This formula has worked for her, and in my limited experience with it, it has worked for me.

[finchmix22]

I have not see Harrison's neonate powder. Where do you buy that brand? I see the Kaytee at the petstore, but was not sure that brand was of high enough quality.

[Sally]

Harrison's lists local vets that carry their products, but I only found one, I think in Southlake, that had the Neonate. I ordered online from the Harrison's website. This stuff needs to be kept refrigerated. I actually keep all my handfeeding foods in the freezer.